#Darknl - A Silver lining?

Can we learn a lesson from #darkNL?

Well, 2014 has started rather interestingly for us on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Friday Jan 3 into Jan 4th saw a good old fashioned blizzard, which was closely followed by what social media coined "#darknl."  My students will likely recall this time for the rest of their lives as they have benefited from 3 extra days of vacation due to #darkNL.  Like many emergency situations, society is never really prepared for the likes of #darknl. 

I remember Hurricance Igor;  at about 8 a.m. my basement well was filling fast and the ol bucket bail was not cutting it.  So off I went in search of a pump - not one to be found in Igor's chaos in Clarenville.  I have taken some steps to be better prepared for such situations.  I have an emergency kit, however, this time around I was in short supply of batteries.  I had enough to get my flashlights through the darkness, but needless to say I stocked up yesterday.  Secondly, I realized that I need to purchase a small, battery operated transistor radio.  I was able to check in on the happenings using Twitter, which was phenomenal, but I still love listening to radio coverage during emergencies.  Radio is still the king of media in these situations.  It's comforting hearing the people of the province converge on the air.  Finally, I had enough wood to stay warm - but it has put a significant dent in my winter supply as I usually use my stove for occasional heat and pleasure.  All this, and politics aside, I think the silver lining in all this is the potential lesson we can all learn about CONSERVATION.  

What a shame it will be if when the power system is back to "normal" operating power and ability we all of a sudden crank the heat, blast the dishwashers, turn on all the lights, and gorge on the electricity we have been so covetous of during #darkNL!  Imagine, if all Newfoundland and Labradorians take this time we've endured, a critical time for the people of NL, and remember #darkNL when we leave a room and instinctively we turn off the light.  Or, that we turn back the heat in our homes and put on a sweater rather than walking around in shorts and a t-shirt like we're in Florida?  Wouldn't that be nice?  Wouldn't it be nice to only have lights on in the room we are currently in?  How about businesses?  They've found ways to conserve energy during #darkNL - I would challenge them to continue to seek ways for energy conservation.  Schools have been closed because we are a large threat to the energy system in our province.  As someone who works in a school, I can guarantee you it is warranted.  We can do better.  For starters, it would be nice if our schools had sensors that turned lights off when no one is present in a room.  Drive by a school in your area during the evening - I can assure you the lights are on.  In some instances, this is in fact to aid in security in the event someone broke in to a school the lights are on for the security cameras, however, we can assure of classroom lights are off.  For the most part, schools are no different than most public buildings and businesses for their energy use - but I think we can continue to improve our conservation.  

If we look beyond the politics, Muskrat Falls debate, and all other issues surrounding #darkNL there are two important lessons.  1 - #darkNL is another reminder to us all to take steps to be prepared for 72 hours.  Are you?  2.  #darkNL has the potential to be a significant lesson about conservation of energy: #conserveNL.  

Mr. Churchill

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